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AFMUH Ch 77

Chapter 77: Days Apart

Chapter 77: Days Apart

 

Qiu Henian left, and the blacksmith’s shop had to temporarily close down. 

 

On the morning of that day, Qingyan went to the shop as instructed by Qiu Henian. He checked the accounts with Xiao Zhuang and noted down the unfinished tasks. 

 

For the locals in the village, he brought over some food as an apology for the inconvenience caused. For those further away, he had Liu Fajia’s tofu delivery boy inform them, and the appropriate gifts were sent.

 

After all, since they were the ones causing the delay, there had to be an explanation, so that they could open again later and earn money from their customers.

 

Fortunately, Qiu Henian never procrastinated; all urgent tasks were completed, and Xiao Zhuang could handle the deliveries in these two days.

 

Xiao Zhuang knew that the shop would be closed for a while, and with his master away seeking medical treatment, he was on the verge of tears.

 

Understanding his worries, Qingyan specially accompanied him home, explained the situation to his parents, advanced this month’s stipend to them, ensuring Xiao Zhuang would have something even if the shop remained closed.

 

Xiao Zhuang’s parents initially refused, but Qingyan left quickly once he put the money down.

 

She knew how hard their life was. Though Xiao Zhuang’s earnings didn’t seem like much, they were an important source of income for the family.

 

In just a few days, Xiao Zhuang came knocking at the courtyard gate. Qingyan went out to see him and found a basket on the ground outside, containing a large bowl of zongzi and beneath it, two ginseng roots with fresh soil still clinging to them.

 

Looking at Xiao Zhuang standing some distance away, ready to run off at any moment, Qingyan noticed his hands, covered in dried mud.

 

Xiao Zhuang said, “Master, my mother made these zongzi last night, they’re filled with meat and smell wonderful. If you don’t feel like cooking, just heat them up and have a couple.”

 

Seeing Qingyan’s expression, Xiao Zhuang felt embarrassed and hid his hands behind his back, smiling foolishly, “The ginseng was found by me up in the mountains. When Master comes back, it can help with his health.”

 

Finishing his words, as if afraid Qingyan would refuse, he turned and ran off. 

 

Qingyan called after him, and he turned back to say to Master’s wife, “I’ll be going up the mountain these next few days. If I find anything good, I’ll bring it over!”

 

Qingyan smiled and waved to him, saying, “I’ll thank your master on your behalf.” 

 

Then he watched him run off into the distance.

 

From what Qingyan usually observed, Qiu Henian treated this apprentice well, and Xiao Zhuang was indeed a thoughtful child, worthy of his master’s affection.

 

That night, Qingyan had the meat zongzi for dinner. He steamed two of them, peeled away the bamboo leaves, and took a big bite. The glutinous rice was perfectly cooked, soft and without any hardness, and the meat inside was salty but not overwhelming, instead aromatic and flavorful, with the meat juices soaking into the rice, making it very delicious.

 

When Xiao Zhuang brought them over, he had said they smelled wonderful. His mother had made meat zongzi, and it seemed none had been kept for the family; all had been sent to Qingyan.

 

Qingyan ate more carefully this time, making sure to clean off every grain of rice stuck to the bamboo leaves.

 

Before going to bed that night, Qingyan held the cat in his arms and slowly flipped through the book “Records of Mountains and Rivers.”

 

On the table beside the bed were prepared ink and brush. Qingyan studied the map for a while, then dipped the brush lightly in the ink and carefully marked a spot on it.

 

“Chongyu County, Yonghe Prefecture,” Qingyan murmured the name. 

 

“He should be around here.”

 

He returned the brush to the table, searched through the book for a while longer, and finally relaxed her furrowed brow, “Here it is.”

 

He finished reading those two pages, closed the book, and said to Ah Miao in his arms, “So Chongyu County is not just famous for its liquor; its braised pig’s trotters are also renowned. There are several pig’s trotter shops on one street, some with signs saying ‘Authentic Chongyu Braised Pig’s Trotters,’ others claiming to be the ‘Chongyu’s First  Braised Pig’s Trotters.’ The author wrote that neither of these two should be visited. Despite their decent taste, only the ordinary sign saying ‘Chongyu’s Braised Pig’s Trotters’ is the best among them, having the longest history and the most delicious flavor.”

 

“Ah Miao, do you think Henian still remembers this passage from the book? Would he buy something that isn’t authentic?”

 

The little tabby cat  meowed twice, and Qingyan looked into his large eyes, “What if he has alcohol to drink and meat to eat, would he care if it’s authentic or not?”

 

Qingyan nodded, “You have a point. However,” he leaned back against the bedhead, starting to worry again, “Did I give him enough money? It should cover the journey, but maybe a bit more would be better, just in case. What if he’s reluctant to spend money and ends up not buying pig’s trotters for himself, treating himself unfairly?”

 

Qingyan alternated between regret and anxiety, lost in his thoughts, until sleep gradually overtook him.

 

He got up to extinguish the oil lamp, and in the moment the light disappeared, his eyes hadn’t yet adjusted to the darkness, and for a while, he couldn’t see anything at all.

 

After a short while, he gradually made out the outlines of the bed and the cabinets. The fire in the stove hadn’t been burning for long, and the floor was a bit cold. Qingyan blinked, feeling somewhat aggrieved as he climbed onto the bed.

 

As he lay down, holding the little tabby cat, he fell asleep without realizing it.

 

The next day, Qiuniang called Qingyan to her house to eat dumplings.

 

The weather warmed earlier than usual this year. Before Qiu Henian could venture outside, spring planting was already well underway. On the first two days after San Yao returned, he hosted a completion feast at his home for the hired workers, and Qingyan went over to help as well.

 

With most of the spring work nearly finished, the farmers could finally take a breather and weren’t as exhausted. Today, San Yao was heading back to the county town, and two days earlier, Qiuniang had suggested Qingyan come over for a meal.

 

Qingyan didn’t arrive empty-handed; he brought a small bag of sugar cubes for Niansheng, which delighted the child immensely. 

 

Upon seeing this, Qiuniang teased him, “Second sister-in-law, I didn’t prepare anything special. You needn’t visit while carrying these things; I almost feel embarrassed inviting you.”

 

Qingyan chuckled, “These sugar cubes would just sit at home. I don’t eat them anyway, so I brought them for the child.”

 

Qiuniang sighed and playfully tapped his arm, saying, “The dumplings are about to be cooked. Wash up and let’s eat.”

 

Qingyan and the family of three sat at the table with steaming dumplings laid out. San Yao even cooked a few dishes himself. Since he had to leave soon, he refrained from drinking, and they all enjoyed dumpling soup instead.

 

After the meal, Qiuniang said, “Second sister-in-law, you’re alone at home having to cook and start fires. From now on, just come to our place for meals; I have to cook for Niansheng anyway.”

 

San Yao chimed in, “Yes, I’m not home often, but we still have to eat. Qiuniang can just make a bit more.”

 

Qingyan shook his head, afraid to make them busy, and declined, “It’s too much trouble for you all. I’ll just cook something simple for myself.”

 

Qiuniang earnestly insisted, “You and Second Brother have helped us a lot on regular days, and during festivals, you always remember us with good things. We promised to take care of you; we should stick to our word. Don’t be so polite.”

 

Despite Qiuniang and San Yao’s persuasion, Qingyan still didn’t agree. 

 

Qiuniang had to concede, “Then in the future, when I cook something delicious, I’ll send some over to you. You won’t refuse again, right?”

 

This time, Qingyan smiled and agreed.

 

After finishing the meal and helping clean up, Qingyan returned home and found Liu’s daughter-in-law waiting at the door. 

 

Seeing him, she smiled and said, “I almost left; luckily I caught you coming back.”

 

Qingyan wondered, “Is there something wrong?”

 

Liu’s daughter-in-law replied, “Nothing serious. Yinglan has been staying at his mother’s these days, and I’m bored. I’m calling you to come to my house to play cards.”

 

Qingyan asked, “Just the two of us?”

 

She answered, “I’ve invited a neighbor too. Everyone’s free right now, so we can play and chat.”

 

Qingyan spent the afternoon at Old Liu’s house. With many people around, they played and chatted, and time flew by quickly. Soon it was dinner time.

 

Liu’s daughter-in-law wanted Qingyan to stay for dinner, but Qingyan didn’t want to be a bother. He made an excuse about needing to feed the chickens and hurried home.

 

For dinner, he cooked a bowl of egg noodle soup with a few vegetables, satisfying his hunger.

 

After eating and tidying up, Qingyan sat on a stool, unsure of what to do next, when Lishen approached with a basket of sewing supplies. 

 

She mentioned that during the Dragon Boat Festival, Qingyan had praised her sachets, and now that the flowers at home had dried, they could make some together with their favorite scents.

 

Before Qingyan could fully experience the loneliness of nightfall, he lit an oil lamp and sat down with Lishen to focus on their needlework.

 

They worked on the sachets until late. Qingyan escorted Lishen to the gate, watching her enter her home before returning to his own.

 

After washing up for bed, he took out “Shanheji,” marked the map, glanced through other leisurely books, and soon found himself too sleepy to keep his eyes open, falling asleep.

 

The next morning, after breakfast, Qiuniang arrived with a small basket, waving cheerfully in the sunlight, saying, “Let’s go, Second Sister-in-law, let’s go to the mountain to dig wild vegetables!”

 

Even Shen Min, who rarely visited, came by every few days to see him.

 

It seemed like from the moment he woke up in the morning, someone was always asking him to do this or that. He didn’t have a single idle day. Even Hunter Liu came by once, bringing Erxi and asking him to look after him until Qiu Henian returned from his medical treatment.

 

Qingyan truly had no time to dwell on random thoughts. Occasionally waking up at night, even Ah Miao would wake up alertly, rubbing her small, warm, soft, fuzzy body against his face and neck, silently comforting him.

 

During this period, he occasionally checked on the fields, weeding and dealing with pests, and went to town several times with Qiuniang and San Yao to set up their stall.

 

Qiuniang and San Yao had already discussed and decided to open a shop together with Qingyan. Qingyan explained clearly how to invest initially and how profits would be divided, and they were all excited about it.

 

Now that this plan was set, whenever Qingyan had free time, he would join Qiuniang, Lishen, and the others to go to town to look for a suitable location, or he would visit the dentist to check out a few shops.

 

Buying a shop would be ideal, but though houses in town were much cheaper than in the county, they were still quite valuable, so they planned to rent instead.

 

Days passed by busy as ever, and before they knew it, twenty days had gone by.

 

As Erxi began to settle in a cool spot, sticking out his tongue to dissipate heat all day, Qingyan received the first letter from Fengyu Pass!

   

Spoiler for the Next Chapter:

“Qingyan, it’s only been a few days since I arrived here, but I want to go home.”

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